We, the undersigned, condemn the Indian government’s decision to deny political asylum to Mr. Edward Snowden. Snowden has upheld the democratic principles by unearthing the illegal and immoral global surveillance by the United States, including of the countries that it considers its allies. He deserves highest praise, not victimization.

It is a shameful blow to India’s independent foreign policy and its ethos of supporting democracy and human rights everywhere. Going beyond the diplomatic surrender, India’s Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid has given a clean chit to the US snooping, claiming it to be legitimate security interest of the US.

We are appalled by this posture of India which claims to be the largest democracy in the world. Real peace in the world can only come if human rights, democracy, liberty and transparency are respected universally and not just turned into a diplomatic pretext to repress and invade other countries. We once again condemn India’s shameful denial of political asylum to Mr. Snowden in the strongest terms.